RATIONAL FUNCTIONS AND

THEIR GRAPHS
Where p and q are polynomial functions and q is not the zero polynomial.
The domain consists of all real numbers except those for which the
denominator is 0.
Find the domain of the following rational functions:

All real numbers except -4 and 4.

All real numbers.

 Finding Asymptotes
VERTICAL ASYMPTOTES

So there are vertical

x + 2x + 5
2
R( x ) = 2
asymptotes at x = 4 and x = -1.

(xx− 4−)(3xx+−1)4= 0
Let’s set the bottom = 0 and
factor and solve to find where
the vertical asymptote(s) should
be.
 HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES
We compare the degrees of the polynomial in the numerator and the
polynomial in the denominator to tell us about horizontal asymptotes.

1<2

If the degree of the numerator is less than

1 the degree of the denominator, the x axis
2x + 5
R( x ) = 2
is a horizontal asymptote. This is along
the line y = 0.
x − 3x + 4

degree of bottom = 2
 HORIZONTAL ASYMPTOTES
The leading coefficient is the
number in front of the highest
powered x term.

degree of top = 2

2x + 4x + 5
2
R( x ) = 2
1 x − 3x + 4

degree of bottom = 2

2
y= =2
1
 OBLIQUE ASYMPTOTES - Slanted
If the degree of the numerator is greater
than the degree of the denominator, then
there is not a horizontal asymptote, but an
oblique one. The equation is found by
degree of top = 3 doing long division and the quotient is the
equation of the oblique asymptote ignoring
the remainder.
x + 2 x − 3x + 5
3 2
R( x ) =
x 2 − 3x + 4

x + 5 + a remainder
x 2 − 3x − 4 x 3 + 2 x 2 − 3x + 5 Oblique asymptote at y = x
+5
SUMMARY OF HOW TO FIND ASYMPTOTES

To determine horizontal or oblique asymptotes, compare the degrees of the

numerator and denominator.
1. If the degree of the top < the bottom, horizontal asymptote along the x
axis (y = 0)
2. If the degree of the top = bottom, horizontal asymptote at y = leading
coefficient of top over leading coefficient of bottom
3. If the degree of the top > the bottom, oblique asymptote found by long
division.
STRATEGY FOR GRAPHING A RATIONAL FUNCTION
SKETCH THE GRAPH OF

2x − 3
f ( x) =
5x + 10
 2x − 3
f ( x) =
5x + 10
The vertical asymptote is x = -2

The horizontal asymptote is y = 2/5

 2x − 3
f ( x) =
5x + 10
10
8
6
4
2

-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 10
-2
-4
-6
-8
-10
SKETCH THE
GRAPH OF:
1
g(x) =
x −1
Vertical asymptotes at??

Horizontal asymptote at??

y=0
 2
f (x) =
x
Vertical asymptotes at??

x=0

Horizontal asymptote at??

y=0
 −4
h(x) =
x
Vertical asymptotes at??

x=0

y=0
SKETCH THE Vertical asymptotes at?? x=1

GRAPH OF: y=0

1
y= −2
x+3
Hopefully you remember,
y = 1/x graph and it’s asymptotes:

Vertical asymptote: x = 0
Horizontal asymptote: y = 0
 We have the function:
1
y= −2
x+3

But what if we simplified this and combined like terms:


1 2(x + 3)
y= − Now looking at this:
x+3 x+3 Vertical Asymptotes??

x = -3
1 − 2x − 6
y=
x+3 Horizontal asymptotes??

y = -2
−2x − 5
y=
x+3
SKETCH THE
GRAPH OF:
x + 3x
2
h(x) =
x
x(x + 3)
h(x) =
x

x=0
 FIND THE ASYMPTOTES OF EACH
FUNCTION: Vertical Asymptote:
x 2 3x 4
y= + −
x + 3x − 4
2 x x x
x=0
y= 4
x y = x +3−
 x

x + 3x −28
2 Hole at x = 4
y= 3
x −11x 2 + 28x Vertical Asymptote:

x = 0 and x = 7
(x + 7)(x − 4)
y=
x(x − 7)(x − 4) Horizontal Asymptote:

 y=0
WHAT MAKES A FUNCTION CONTINUOUS?

Continuous functions are predictable…

1) No breaks in the graph

A limit must exist at every x-value or the
graph will break.

2) No holes or jumps
The function cannot have undefined points
or vertical asymptotes.
Key Point:
Continuous functions can be
drawn with a single,
unbroken pencil stroke.
CONTINUITY OF POLYNOMIAL AND RATIONAL
FUNCTIONS
DISCONTINUITY
Discontinuity: a point at
which a function is not
continuous
DISCONTINUITY
Two Types of Discontinuities
1) Removable (hole in the graph)
2) Non-removable (break or vertical asymptote)

A discontinuity is called removable if a function can be made

continuous by defining (or redefining) a point.
DISCONTINUITY
Find the intervals on which these function are continuous.

x+2
f ( x) = 2
x − 3 x − 10 x+2=0 Removable

x+2 x = −2 discontinuity

=
( x + 2)( x − 5) Vertical Asymptote:

1 x −5 = 0
=
Non-removable

( x − 5) x=5 discontinuity
DISCONTINUITY

x+2
f ( x) = 2
x − 3 x − 10

(−, − 2)  (−2, 5)  (5, )

DISCONTINUITY
−2 x, x  2
f ( x) =  2
 x − 4 x + 1, x  2

lim(
−
−2 x) = −4
x →2

lim(
+
x 2
− 4 x + 1)= −3
x→2

f (2) = −4 Continuous on:

(−, 2]  (2, )
Determine the value(s) of x at which the function is
discontinuous. Describe the discontinuity as
removable or non-removable.
(A)
x −1
2 (B)
x + 10 x + 9
2
f ( x) = 2 f ( x) =
x − 5x − 6 x − 81
2

x − 4x − 5
2 x −4
2
f ( x) = 2
(C)
f ( x) =
x 2 − 25 x − 2x − 8
DISCONTINUITY
x −12
(A) f ( x) = 2
x − 5x − 6
( x − 1)( x + 1)
=
( x − 6)( x + 1)

x = −1
x=6 Non-removable discontinuity
DISCONTINUITY
x + 10 x + 9
2
(B) f ( x) =
x 2 − 81
( x + 9)( x + 1)
=
( x + 9)( x − 9)

x = −9 Removable discontinuity

x=9
DISCONTINUITY
x − 4x − 5
2
(C) f ( x) =
x 2 − 25
( x − 5)( x + 1)
=
( x − 5)( x + 5)

x=5
x = −5 Non-removable discontinuity
DISCONTINUITY
x2 − 4
(D)
f ( x) = 2
x − 2x − 8
( x − 2)( x + 2)
=
( x − 4)( x + 2)
x = −2 Removable discontinuity

x=4
CONCLUSION
Continuous functions have no breaks, no holes, and no jumps.

If you can evaluate any limit on the function using only the substitution
method, then the function is continuous.